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Suggestion for a better number picking method for giveaways

S

SonicBlade

Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
36
I'm definitely not complaining that there are generous peeps giving out free knives here; pls don't strike me off from any giveaway list! :D :thumbup: for the generous gestures!

I see most of the giveaways use a number-picking system that asks posters to choose a number between 1-XXX and the number closest wins.

Sometimes, it is specified "without going over". Sometimes it isn't, which means there can be 2 numbers that are equally close to the chosen number. Also, many times the thread becomes very long and posters don't bother to do a simple search, and end up choosing repeated numbers.

That isn't like a major problem but if the chosen number has been picked by 3-4 people, then a separate draw must be made again.

Also, I believe the thread starter (giveaway person) needs to put in some effort to find what the closest number is to his chosen number if the chosen number isn't hit exactly.

Suggestion:
Instead of a number picking system, a post picking system would be easier. Interested parties will post thanks and interest in the thread (one post per person only), and at the closing time, threadstarter can tally up the total # of posts. He then picks a random number and the poster of that # wins it.

This avoids repeated numbers and makes it easier for the giver too.

Just MHO! :)
 
Hmm, I somehow knew this was the kind of response I would get. I'm not showing or demanding anything; I'm just trying to help out both posters and the giver too. It was just a suggestion

I have done giveaways in CPF where I come from; sorry I don't have knives to give away here. Maybe I'm too used to the friendliness at CPF; but I get the feeling this place is a little inhospitable.

If anyone's first thought is "Then stay there and don't come here", then I'm right on the money.
 
Im guessing a person can run their "giveaway" as they see fit. Ive run them just as you suggest SB, count the total of people that want to be included then have someone else pick a number between 1 and whatever the highest number might be.
 
Seems like a good idea to me. After picking a random number (I believe there are random number generators on the web) you can go straight to that post and see who it is.
 
Thanks guys; sorry about my outburst. I mean I was just trying to suggest something that might be easier (for the giver especially). I mean of course its his prerogative to do whatever he likes, but he's already being kind to give away something, why should he have to suffer inconvenience to pick out a winner?

Posters who want to win the freebie but don't bother to search the thread (esp when there is a "Search this Thread" tool and choose a duplicate number adds work to the process.

Of course if the giver is fine with this, I'm not complaining the least bit :D The giver has every right to run it any way; I'm just suggesting an alternative so there is less chance of an ambiguous winner.

The "pick a number" works great too, but only with a proper portal (with necc scripts) set up with the available numbers displayed on the site and removed when it is chosen. A veteran member of Candlepowerforums, KevinL, does that on behalf of flashlight-forums for giveaways.
 
Good idea. It also does away with me getting mad because someone already picked my lucky number!
 
As for more than one person picking the same #, that's sorted easily enough by stating at the outset that if it occurs the person who posted it first will take it. I personally didn't mind going over entries for giveaways I set up, but I can certainly see how your suggested method would give a quick resolution.
 
Jujigatame, that's true. So I guess the conditions to include to make it clear cut are :-

- Without going over (to eliminate possibility of 2 equally close numbers)
- First poster of the number owns the number

This is a little 'punishing' for the poster of the repeated number though, should it hit :D But I guess if he/she didn't bother to search, maybe some might think it's a better method to teach 'em a little lesson.
 
SonicBlade said:
I have done giveaways in CPF where I come from; sorry I don't have knives to give away here. Maybe I'm too used to the friendliness at CPF; but I get the feeling this place is a little inhospitable.

If anyone's first thought is "Then stay there and don't come here", then I'm right on the money.
Click to expand...

My apologies for seeming hostile.:)
 
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